Architecture students awarded prizes for design, creativity and innovation as part of OPEN 2024

The Student Architecture Awards were hosted in-person and reflected varied design approaches, celebrating the University’s diverse students and their place at the heart of London.

The awards cover the full array of courses offered by the School of Architecture and Cities and were presented by a range of external sponsors and academics responsible for nominations. The corporate donors, including prestigious organisations such as Foster + Partners, VOLA and JCDecaux, sponsored different prizes for the Architecture students.

There were over 20 awards up for grabs including Foster + Partners Prize for Technical Innovation in Design across all year groups, the Portman Prize for Experimentation, VOLA Prize for Best Portfolio (Level 4) and The Colin Gleeson Award for Technical Innovation.

VOLA UK, the University’s partner for ten years, sponsored ten prizes. Among the winners was Andrea Bonilla who won the prize for Best Portfolio (Level 4), Ivan Martinez who won Best Model Investigation (Level 4), Mara Onofrei, who won the prize for Best Design Idea (Level 4), and Pantea Javdan who won the prize for Best Design Report (Level 6).

Recipients of The Shoaib Rawat Memorial Prize, which was set up in memory of Shoaib with generous support from the Rawat family, were Master of Architecture (MArch) final year students James Langlois, who received first prize, Maria Saraguro Paltin, who won second place and Adrian-Calin Paul who received third prize.

Foster + Partners, a British architecture firm which works internationally, sponsored prizes for Technical Innovation in Design across all year groups. The undergraduate winners were Alisha Khan, Aristote Salvatore Raffeneau, Noor Rizk, Neelam Nandra, Matthew Adey, Jali Parris, Anastasia Kazakova and Harry Clark, while Rona Hoxha and Ross Wilson secured the postgraduate prize.

Martin Stephens, Director of Planning at JCDecaux UK, the largest outdoor advertising corporation in the world, said: “JCDecaux built its reputation on the three key principles of passion, innovation and quality, which are threads running through the entire business. We are delighted therefore to be able to encourage new ideas, promote innovation and celebrate excellence particular in the field of design and architecture. The Company is a proud sponsor of the awards and value greatly the continuing partnership with the University of Westminster to nurture talent and recognise it through the JCDecaux Design Award. I congratulate all the students who have put such effort in demonstrating their aptitude for problem solving and seeking to make our public spaces better places to live. Well done to the recipients of awards this year and keep up the good work.”

Final year Master of Architecture (MArch) student and winner of the Shoaib Rawat Memorial Prize James Langlois, said: “It is an honour to receive the Shoaib Rawat Memorial Prize. After the ceremony, I spoke with members of the Rawat family and a former colleague, who shared insights into his innovative Adaptive Reuse university projects from 1999. Such forward-thinking work has been a significant inspiration for my own projects which involve existing architecture. Therefore, receiving an award commemorating Shoaib feels particularly meaningful.”

Amaya Eastman, Manager at VOLA UK Limited, added: “VOLA UK have been a proud supporter of Interior Architecture course since its inception. VOLA designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1968 has longevity built in, making VOLA a lifelong investment in quality and purity, the synergy between Interior Architects strive to redesign and extend the life of existing buildings correlates with some of our core values of conscious consumption and recycling. As a company VOLA have always valued and invested in the next generation of architects as we recognise they are the future.”

Simay Sali Sevik, Development Manager at the University of Westminster , said: “Foster + Partners, VOLA, and JCDecaux have generously supported our Architecture students by awarding them prestigious prizes. Their contributions play a crucial role in inspiring excellence, fostering innovation, and providing invaluable recognition to the emerging talent in the field. We are deeply grateful for their continued support and commitment to nurturing the next generation of architect."

These awards directly contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and 10: Reduced Inequalities. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.

To find out more about how to support students at the University of Westminster, email the Development Team.

Find out more about studying Architecture at the University of Westminster.